News Article

3D OutRun Given a Release Date and Details for Japan

The 3D series of classics from Sega were, in the Nintendo Life office at least, among the highlights on the 3DS late last year. With a mix of arcade and Mega Drive / Genesis games getting the impressive remastering treatment from M2, it was pleasing that Sega had made the investment to localise that first run outside of Japan.

The second batch is already well underway in the company's homeland, however, and the latest confirmed title has made us borderline desperate for the second series of releases to be confirmed for the West. We previously reported that 3D OutRun had been announced, but now we have a release date and details on some of the title's enhancements. To start with the most important news, it arrives on the Japanese eShop on 23rd April for 762 yen (excluding tax).

Like previous '3D Classics' in this range, a number of neat enhancements have been made. These include:

The option to save at any point and resume later on

Circle Pad, D-pad or touch controls

A choice of the Japanese or 'Overseas' version, with different course placements between them

Multiple screen size settings, including a moving arcade cabinet style as seen in previous releases such as 3D Super Hang-On

A host of audio options, and two brand new songs composed by Manabu Namiki and Jane-Evelyn Nisperos

Plenty to look forward to. Short of making us all buy Japanese 3DS systems, we're left hoping for news of localisation from Sega. Would you be excited about playing this one?

Welsh ex-pat Tom is responsible for the day-to-day running of the site. He's the guy to thank for the generally brilliant nature of the content which massages your eyeballs on a daily basis. Also has an unhealthy obsession with all things Bowser.

Very excited for this. I wish they hadn't pooched the release of Outrun 2006 (no US PS3 version, pulled Steam version, no digital PSP release) but M2 Outrun on 3DS could redeem them. Given the pattern of the last batch, maybe the west will see an autumn release?

I would not fret about if these are coming to the west, it's more of a matter of when. I also happen to love the Nes 3D Classics as well including Urban Champion. Course that one only cost me Club Coinage.

Despite my aversion to actual driving, I've always loved this game... I chalk it up to the music and atmosphere. With the robust selection of options, this sounds like it's shaping up to be one grand conversion... all modern ports should be like this.

Namiki and Nisperos have impressive bodies of work, but nevertheless, composing tunes that stand beside OutRun's original soundtrack seems like a monumental undertaking. I look forward to it.

@KnightRider666 I'm already foaming at the mouth.....lol Thank you sega for saving the 3d Classics and doing it right. I'm mad at ya Nintendo for pretty much abandoning the 3D Classics. you should be thanking Sega too.

Is that screen shot from the 3DS version? I Guessed right if so, they went with an alternative car sprite, no prancing horse or potential issue with a Ferrari license.Not that it matters for gameplay, and Ill be getting this as soon as released, but the Saturn remains the most acurate arcade port!